..friends..

one of the greatest blessings we have been given in this life is the opportunity to make friends. as one person said it, "god does love us and watch over us, but it is through other people that he meets our needs." so true. for many people it seems that friendships are formed through all stages of life, from childhood to the grave. some people make friends anywhere and everywhere they go, while other people are content with having just a few. friends come in all shapes and sizes, but no matter what they look like, or when they cross your path, friends change lives for the better. i have been very fortunate in my life to be blessed with a unique variety of friends, some who have journeyed along the path of life with me since i was 2 years old, and others who i've only known for a couple years. whether it has been 2 months, 2 years or 20 years, there is one thing that all these people have in common -- they are my friends...they have stood by me in sunshine and rain and helped me become who i am today.

elizabeth kilbourn graves

i have known lizzy since before i can remember. we met when we were 2 and have been friends through it all...from pre-school to marriage. almost every memory of my childhood involves her and even though we haven't kept in touch as much as we did before college, i still consider her one of my best friends.

abigail taggart

another friend since childhood, abi has been there for me through thick and thin and brought joy to my life every step of the way. we went to elementary school, high school and even college together...and to this day there is never a dull moment with abi around. love her!

jann williams

jann was my young women's president when i turned 12 and instantly we became friends. even though she is 20 years older than me, i truly feel that we have twin spirits. she has been an important part of my life since the day i met her, and has been a huge influence to my family as well. it is because of her that my mom was in the temple with me the day i got married, for which i will be eternally indebted to her.

jennifer lynn hardman

jenny's mom was my piano teacher growing up but i didn't really become friends with her until we were in the play "cinderella" together when i was in 7th grade (she was cinderella, i was the fairy godmother!), and that is when our bond was formed. from early morning play practices to doing a study abroad together in italy nearly 10 years later she is one of my very best friends and favorite people to be with.

whitney olsen tawzer

whit and i met when we both rushed chi omega in the fall of 2005, but we didn't become close friends until the next year when together we set out on a mission to play the two biggest players at utah state! haha it is a true story, and as it goes, i won and she lost! ;) jk whit. we later became roommates, partners in crime, confidantes, best friends and bridesmaids at each others' weddings, and even though distance keeps us apart more than i would like these days, she will always be the one person that helped me survive the crazy days of college.

john harder

i don't know how many people consider their bosses friends, but john (my boss at the italian place) will always be one of my friends. when i first started working there i was scared out of my mind of him! no joke. people would always tell me that i must have a good self esteem to be able to work for him, but the truth is there were a couple times when i came home from work and cried because he was so mean!! the longer i worked for him the more i began to appreciate him for instilling a good work-ethic into me and for teaching me valuable lessons about life, love, friendship and happiness that can't be found in other places. even though he is a dirty old man and i am married happily to lance, a part of my heart will always belong to john! ;)

mother dear

my mom and i have always been close, but the last couple years we have been through a lot together. it is no secret to anyone that she wasn't a fan of lance (i think she has come around now..i hope so at least!) but through all the crap we have been through together and probably created for each other, my mom will always be one of my best friends. in high school i would stay home on friday nights to be with her. when i moved away to college we talked on the phone probably 3-5 times a day...every day the whole 5 years i was there! we went through the temple together the same day and she was there for me on my wedding day, something i had always wanted but never knew for sure if it would happen. i love my mom so much and feel so lucky to have her as my mother and friend.

duke & claus

how true the saying that a dog is man's best friend. if you don't have dogs (or animals) you won't understand, but my dogs really are some of my best friends! every time i am sad i can count on claus to come cuddle with me and comfort me. every time i come home from work or shopping or wherever, duke is there jumping up and down..so excited bc i am home! whenever lance is out of town, duke and claus help me feel safe and secure in our apartment and they keep me company while he is gone. i seriously love my dogs so much (maybe a little too much?) and don't know what i'd do without them!

mr. lance jeffrey powell

lance is the best husband i could have asked for. he is everything i need and i am so grateful to have him by my side. we have been through lots of crazy, fun things together and every day i look forward to what the lord has in store for us. thank you husband for also being my best friend!

"a friend is one who knows you and loves you just the same."

thank you friends, for knowing, yet loving me! i love you all!
love,
becky